Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered three wolf pups that resemble extinct dire wolves, which went extinct over 10,000 years ago. Using CRISPR technology, the researchers modified cells from living gray wolves to create the genetically engineered pups. These pups have long white hair, muscular jaws, and are expected to weigh up to 140 pounds at maturity. While they physically resemble dire wolves, they may not possess the same hunting abilities as wild dire wolves who would have taught them those skills.
The company has also cloned red wolves from the critically endangered red wolf population in the southeastern U.S. in an effort to bring more genetic diversity to the captive population. This cloning technology has potential applications for conserving other species, as it is less invasive than other techniques for cloning animals. However, it still requires sedating a wild wolf for a blood draw, which can be challenging.
The research has sparked excitement in the scientific community, but some experts caution that bringing back extinct species may not be feasible in terms of ecological function in today’s landscapes. While the genetically engineered wolves may physically resemble dire wolves, they may not be able to perform the same ecological functions as their extinct predecessors. Despite this, the project has received praise from U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum as a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder.”
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